Viera, FL

Sometimes you just have to take a break. Sometimes you have to let someone else take the lead.

Such was the case today. I met with a For Sale By Owner who found me on the Internet. Actually, he found me as a result of my offer to assist FSBOs in the Viera Florida area.

He wants me to list his home. His price was a bit high. The curb appeal was not that bad. His problem - competing with short sales in the same neighborhood ( as well as no exposure except for a sign).

Something we did discuss was his need for selling. He has no real urgency rather than he wants to move to a 55+ community like Heritage Isle in Viera.

I will be meeting with him again this weekend to review my price right analysis and marketing plan. Hopefully, he will let me take the lead and he can take a break.

If you are a FSBO seller and want to take a break - give me a call!

By the way, the photo is my dog, Diesel. We go for walks daily but when he gets tired he just finds a spot under some strangers tree for some shade time!

Here, as I sit sipping a glass of Cabernet, I make such a bold statement. Perhaps the title was concocted as I put the bottle(empty) in the recycling bin.

Actually, the truth is...

Suppose I was walking my dog Diesel, in my fictional neighborhood, on the afternoon before recycling bins get picked up. Suppose my idle mind notices that many of the bins contain wine bottles - empty, of course!

Suppose I then, based on my small sampling of recycling bins, conclude that wine drinkers recycle more than others.

That is a totally ridiculous conclusion.

But it is no different than sellers who base their list price on the few "fair market listings" in their neighborhood while ignoring the "short sale" or "foreclosure" listings around the corner.

In order to make a valid conclusion, one must consider a representative sampling of the population. I did learn some statistics during my seven years of college -[thanks, The George Washington University and Troy State University ]. You can not just cherry pick your competitor listings!

In this market, foreclosures and short sales are the pricing competitors. Do not make the mistake of mis-identifying your real competition!

And, by the way, the title was an attention getter...not a fact!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, serving buyers and sellers in the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge areas of Florida's Space Coast.

A balanced diet...one burger in each hand? There was a time when that was my thinking. A balanced conversation...interviews on CNN? There was a time when that was my thinking. A balanced budget....raise taxes enough and get there? There was a time when I believed ...that is a stretch even for me!

This post is not about any of those...it is about blogging. I just noticed I only have 188 posts to my Activerain blog. Not bad although I am not a prolific writer like most on here. Then I looked at my other blogs. Yes, I do have a couple of other blogs.

My blog Florida Homes For Sale - Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree has over 600 posts. I even started another blog for this book I have been writing for several years. Who has not written a book?Besides I have had this on my hard drive for so long I may as well put it some place else. Someone may like it...it if does not get me sued! It is fiction, please!

I know one thing...I better get to work on my Activerain blogging as this is now...number 189. May be easier to reach a balance by grabbing a couple of beers!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, proudly serving buyers and sellers along Florida's Space Coast.

This is not some religious right or left or whatever rant. Is there a religious left? Oh well...

Satan is a dog - a real dog. And he will lead you to pray!

I was showing properties some time ago and the showing instructions were simple. The owners are moving. There is a pit bull named Satan still in the house but he is in a crate.

Pulled up, looked inside as the window treatments were already removed and, sure enough, Satan was running loose! We did not show this property.

On another occasion the showing instructions were "vacant, on an electronic lock box." Then the agent added "there are two pit bulls but they should be in their crate." I was young(er), (more) energetic, and not as smart.

Rang he doorbell, entered cautiously while yelling my usual "Realtor!" Relief - no dogs anywhere. As I went around the corner I heard a frightening sound - yep, barking - aggressive sounding barking! They were in the crate and sleeping until I disturbed their tranquility.

I have had a couple of other near misses with pets. I have found there are two entities that you must work around when selling a property. Entities that can present a problem -

• pets and tenants -Neither is bad. However, each requires special handling!

As a seller, you need to maximize your showings and make the absolute best impression possible. Having someone remember your home as the one with the dog is not the way!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, If you are considering , please give me a call! Read my other blog here.

[The doggie to the left is Diesel...my son's Boston Terrier. He is dangerous - may lick you to death!]

Selling in Viera Florida? Are you "Searchin' for a Rainbow"?

I was discussing listing a Viera home with a caller today. He started the conversation by stating he hoped I would tell him what he wanted to hear. Apparently I was not the first Viera Florida real estate agent he had spoken with over the past few days.

He was searching. There was an old song in the 1970s called "Searchin' for a Rainbow" by The Marshall Tucker Band. I asked what he wanted to hear. His response indeed revealed he was searching.

You see, he had purchased his home two years ago. He wanted to sell it and walk away with cash in his pocket. Not unrealistic if he had some equity in the property. However, he had obtained 100% financing with an interest only loan. Not only had his property value decreased but he also had not reduced the principal. Like many owners today he was upside down.

I had to lay the cards on the table. He will not sell his home for anything near his original purchase price. Further, there would not be any "walking away cash."

Will he be listing his property for sale? I doubt it. If he does will he find his "rainbow?" Again, I doubt it. Selling for a profit now is a rarity.

The positive I took away from this conversation? My fellow real estate professionals in Viera are telling it like it is! This is what it will take to reduce the glut of homes on the market.

Interested in selling your Viera home? Give me a call, please. I will not mislead however I will share my view of your options. Why not call? It is free!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida. I can be reached by email at agent@moving2brevard.com or call me directly at 321-693-3850.